A number of companies now produce fitness food for cyclists, but whether the stuff is actually good remains a question. For those who would rather cook their own cycle-friendly fare chef Biju Thomas and Dr. Allen Lim have released the cookbook Feed Zone Portables. This 288 page book offers 75 new recipes for portable food to take on the go.
A built-in bike light seems like a good idea, and while we seen systems that integrate the lights into the stem, the Helios Bars are more than just a built-in light. These do provide proximity lighting that allows the bike to automatically turn on or off when the rider is near, and provide turn singles to help drivers know what you’re about to do. But the Helios Bars also provide GPS tracking via SMS from anywhere in the United States, where users can receive coordinates of the bike via Google Maps.
These bars also offer a visual speedometer, and can provide turn-by-turn navigation when synced with a mobile phone via Bluetooth 4.0. There is even ambient lighting options to set the mood while riding. Video after the jump
If you’re riding with a light system that includes a battery power you could have an extra way to give your phone the juice it might need. This is the concept behind Sigma Sport’s IICON cable that allows users to power up their mobile phones, cameras and GPS units via the battery pack.
The IICON attaches to the IION/IION XL battery pack and a red LED indicator light shows that the device is being charged. The IICON is completely watertight for use even in damp conditions. Now this is still a robbing Peter to pay Paul type situation, especially if you need to ride home and actually need the light but sometimes being able to make that call can be a godsend!
Working up a sweat is one reason we work out an exercise but sweat in the eyes is never fun when on a long summer bike ride. This is where the SweatHawg comes in. It is a helmet liner that is made in Oregon of Hydo-phillic fabric from Germany and can reportedly absorb 10 times its weight in water, and which can be rung out if it gets too saturated. It can keep the sweat out of the eyes and thus help on those hot summer days!
Riding a bike can be a good way to get out and get some fresh air – unless of course the air outside isn’t all that fresh. In places like China the air can be quite bad. Mike Andrews of New Castle in the U.K. visited China and realized there was a solution – ride a bike with a large air filter that could help clean the air while riding. He is now developing an electrical generator that can suck in bad air and produces cleaner air.
The key word is cleaner as this can only do so much. But imagine if China could get more cyclists using pedal power to clean the air? It would almost make it breathable.
[Via SeaCoast Online: New spin for bicycle: filtering air pollution]
Look’s popular Keo 2 Max pedals have typically been available in any color you could want – provided it was black or white white. But unlike Henry Ford the French company decided to really give the people want they want, and this includes the pedals in green, gray and red. So it might not be any color you could want but it still provides a bit of option beyond vanilla white.
Cycling jackets don’t have to feature team branding or other colorful designs. REI’s house brand Novara has introduced the Dutchtown, a jacket designed to provide protection when riding in some wind and rain. It features a Polyester fabric with a durable water repellent finish that resists water to keep you warm and dry on those wet spring days.
The jacket offers roll-down cuffs with reflective trim to help keep you visible in low light, while two front pockets and one inside zippered pocket will let you stash whatever you need to carry. The Dutchtown jacket even features a media port so you can also keep your music player stashed inside and out of the elements.
We’ve seen a movement towards cycling attire that isn’t so aimed at the hardcore rider – however some of it is for the truly “uptight cyclist.” Phil Siegert’s line of cycling attire isn’t so uptight, but it is for the Upright Cyclist – which is now the name of his business.
His line of clothing is for those who don’t want to change what they are wearing to go for a ride, so whether it is for commute to work, a leisurely weekend trip around town or a journey to the store, Upright Cyclist can have you covered. The company, which just launched last month, introduced five pieces that include shorts, pants and three jackets and each is meant to handle riding around town, while still looking good off the bike.
Even as spring heats things up as we head to summer there are those cool mornings or early evenings when arm warmers can come in handy. For those times the Stantovelo Protective Arm Warmers could be a good option to consider as these offer the ability to keep the arms warm, but also provide some reflective properties, which can come in handy in the early morning or evening. The Protective Arm Warmers are designed to be used when a rider is recovering from road rash as well. Hence these are truly protective in more ways than one.
Stantovelo Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Stantovelo arm warmers offer road rash protection]
When the company name is Lightweight you know that the products won’t be heavy weights, but the German bicycle component maker has introduced the Edelhelfer (German for “Precious Helper” or “Super Domestique”) water bottle cage that tips the scales at just 18 grams. The carbon fiber cage has the look of the company’s distinctive aero carbon spokes, and even comes with lightweight alloy screws to further cut down on weight. At a reported 65 euros the heaviest thing about this one might be the price.
Cycling apparel maker Sidi has partnered with Castelli this season with a new line of men’s and women’s cycling attire that offers a bit of flare and a whole lot of fashion. This new lineup pairs nicely with the Sidi road shoes, and is inspired by some of the greats of Italian cycling, including the Pippo, named for Flippo Pozzato; an Ivan Basso design and even one for Dino Signori, the founder of Sidi.
Sidi Official Website
[Via Bike Rumor: SIDI EXPANDS CLOTHING LINE, WITH NEW SIDI BY CASTELLI TECHNICAL WEAR]
This is Bike to Work Week, and today the League of American Bicyclists announced its latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC), including a new Platinum-level community.
Fort Collins, Colo., moved from Gold to Platinum this round, joining the ranks of Portland, Ore.; Boulder, Colo.; and Davis, Calif., as the country’s very best for bicycling. Read the rest of this entry »
Assos has introduced a new pattern of cycling jersey that offers a fit between the brand’s SS.Uno and SS.Mille fits. Designed for athletes and those with larger body types the PerformanceFit jersey utilizes new fabric designed by the Assos Textile Lab.
The Type 151 fabric has less volume and is thus designed to react quickly to body temperatures, when riders perspire a lot the jersey reacts by speeding up the moisture transfer, and when riders cool it slows the evaporation process.
With a UV protection rating of 50+ this one will be good for a ride on a bright sunny day as well. It features zippered safety pockets with an inside opening for earphone cords, rear reflective visibility stripes and a covered full front zipper.
